[alligator18195]

Hi everyone!

I just got Mirena put in about 6 weeks ago and I haven't really been experiencing any side effects but I started a dieting program about 5 weeks ago and the scale is being so stubborn. I started around 178 and I just weighed myself this morning on an empty stomach and I was 175.2. A few weeks ago I was 173. I did have binges on 6 days out of the 35, and I've been keeping a journal and I know I've eaten less than 1500 calories on the rest of the days. The past three days I've eaten less that 1300. In the past I've been able to lose more weight than this... anyone else experiencing this with Mirena and the water retention weight? I don't want to be stuck in the 170's forever!

Thanks!
-Allie

[SweetScrumptious]

I'm not on the Mirena but will be considering it or the Copper IUD in the next few months-year. I'm doing my research between the two and would like to know if weight side effects happen with the Mirena (altho the hormones in it are only suppose to effect the uterus).

However, I did stop BCP a week ago. I just wasn't noticing any weight loss; just maintenance from the weight I was when I started the pill 8 months ago. Granted, my diet/exercise isn't that strict right now (still trying to get into the habit of things) but it isn't really different from before when I first started the pill. I was able to lose weight at a slow pace. So I do believe the pill had some factor of me not being able to get below 190. So, I ditched the pill. It's only been a week and I want to try 3-6months of being medication free to see if the pill did have any factor in it. Hence, I don't want to insert an IUD right now in case there is some side effect of weight gain/maintenance which is one of the reasons why I went off the pill. I guess this is all my little experiment It's hard to be 100% motivated/strict with diet and exercise when you see little results.

[AlyssaMcN]

I started the Mirena a couple of months ago, and I have not experienced any side effects (except for a few days of spotting after my period). It doesn't seem to have affected my weight loss - after going paleo for 4 weeks, I was able to lose about 10 pounds.

I would suggest that you keep doing what you're doing for a few more weeks and see what happens. Dipping below 1300 calories may be hurting you, so you may want to keep it between 1300 and 1500. Keep the binge days to a minimum, because those are likely also contributing to the lack of scale movement. If you're doing everything you can to eat clean, and you still aren't seeing any movement after four weeks, maybe it is the Mirena. Keep it up though, you are seeing movement in the right direction, and that's a good sign! It also may take another month or so to adjust to the Mirena, so you may want to give it some more time!

[Silverfire]

I have had Mirena for a few years now and am not having any weight releated issues that I am aware of.

How accurately are you tracking your calories? I know when I started out I was eyeballing everything. Then I got a kitchen scale and some new measuring cups/spoons and measured everything. I was shocked at how out of whack my eyeballing skills were lol!

Good luck

[April Snow]

I'm not a 20-something but I lost 70 lbs a couple of years ago while on Mirena (unfortunately gained most back, but just because I stopped staying on plan) and have lost ~25 this time, also still on Mirena.

To be honest, I think those 6 binge days (more than once a week) are the more likely culprit. Your current weight isn't all that high, so even at 1500 calories, you may not be running a huge deficit and one binge day can easily eat back almost your entire deficit for a week, depending on how much you eat that day.

I'd try to stay on plan for a full week and see what happens.

[stella1609]

Originally Posted by April Snow

To be honest, I think those 6 binge days (more than once a week) are the more likely culprit. Your current weight isn't all that high, so even at 1500 calories, you may not be running a huge deficit and one binge day can easily eat back almost your entire deficit for a week, depending on how much you eat that day.

I'd try to stay on plan for a full week and see what happens.

This, absolutely. Mirena is pretty focused hormone delivery so you don't get as much systemic hormones as you do with other forms of birth control (which is one of the reasons it's a great option).

[KawaiiCandie]

I'll jump in and agree with those who are saying that your binges are most likely hurting you. you can't expect to lose a ton of weight if you have binges every week or so... in that case, it's pretty good that you still managed to lose weight at all.

although i feel your pain. i've lost like 5lbs since the beginning of 2013 and i feel like i'm working very hard. I do have the occasional "cheat day" though, and i know that that's probably what's hurting me... but still, those cheat days keep me sane so... it's up to you what's more important!!